Sunday, June 06, 2010

Krewe of Dead Pelicans

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I've avoided talking about the oil spill in the Gulf because it quite frankly breaks my heart. But yesterday the citizens of New Orleans took their anguish and frustration to the street as the Krewe of Dead Pelicans second-lined down St. Charles Avenue to protest the oil spill and BP's sickeningly, infuriatingly lousy response.

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Not that having a parade is going to do anything to help except maybe keep the news cameras focused on the issue, but, well, this is New Orleans.

Photos by Michael DeMocker/The Times-PicayuneSphinx Ink has a wonderful post on this. You can read it here.

This tragedy is beyond my words, so I borrow some from someone else, who at least in this, seemed wise.

Laughter and Death, by Wilfrid Scawen Blunt

THERE is no laughter in the natural worldOf beast or fish or bird, though no sad doubtOf their futurity to them unfurledHas dared to check the mirth-compelling shout.The lion roars his solemn thunder outTo the sleeping woods. The eagle screams her cry.Even the lark must strain a serious throatTo hurl his blest defiance at the sky.Fear, anger, jealousy, have found a voice.Love’s pain or rapture the brute bosoms swell.Nature has symbols for her nobler joys,Her nobler sorrows. Who had dared foretellThat only man, by some sad mockery,Should learn to laugh who learns that he must die?

It is horrendous to watch the damage being done to your wildlife, coastlines & the people who live near by! Even living in a country that is some distance from the USA, watching the tragedy unfolding daily is heart wrenching indeed!!!

About Me

A former university professor with an incurable case of wanderlust, I write the Sebastian St. Cyr Regency mystery series under the name of C.S. Harris and thrillers as one half of C.S. Graham. I’ve also written historical romances as Candice Proctor.